TWiT’s Windows Weekly – A Review
OVERVIEW
Windows Weekly is a podcast (or netcast) show on Leo Laporte’s TWiT Network, where Leo Laporte and Paul Thurrott discuss ‘all things Microsoft’ (not Windows). Subjects covered range from Xbox and the Zune to Microsoft Office, Mesh and (of course) Windows. The shows can range in length from 35/40 minutes to just under 2 hours!
Windows Weekly – Background
Leo Laporte
To fully enjoy the show, you need to know a little about the background of the guys behind it. Leo Laporte is a BIG Apple fan and Paul Thurrott is a leading Windows / Microsoft ‘insider.’ Paul knows the top people at Microsoft and is as pro Microsoft as Leo is pro Apple.
Sadly, for whatever reason, although Leo regularly slams all things Microsoft in his other shows and in interviews, he pretends to be neutral during the Windows Weekly show – which is a real pity, because he’s so bad at it. Every word of praise is followed with a negative quip – which Paul Thurrott either doesn’t get or ignores (I think the latter!)
Windows Weekly – Downsides
I personally feel the show would be better if Leo was just as anti-Microsoft during this show, as he is in all his other shows. This way, the show would feel less ‘fake’ and it would be able to address some of the genuine issues people have regarding the “which is best – Apple or PC” debate. In fact, why not get a Linux guy in and make it a real debate (I’m writing this post on a linux box).
I recommended the show to a friend recently, who commented that it was a little like listening to one of those; “I’m a Mac – I’m a PC” advertisements – (and that’s with Leo pushing himself to be less anti-Microsoft!!)
I also think the title of the show needs changing from Windows Weekly to Microsoft Weekly. Windows is actually a minority part of the show – with the majority of the program based around other Microsoft products, like; Zune, MS Office, Mesh, Xbox and Xbox Live, MSN, Hotmail etc. There is also a stack of time in almost every show dedicated to Apple and their products!
Windows Weekly – Upside
If you want to know what’s going on in the world of Microsoft, this show is for you. Paul Thurrott REALLY knows his subject and often gives some extremely valuable advice and information for anyone running Microsoft products. There is also a very good rapport between Leo and Paul, which makes the show even more enjoyable.
I use a Windows-based PC for some of my work and have been able to save both time and money as a direct result of listening to Windows Weekly!
I have been listening to Windows Weekly since the very first shows and I have always enjoyed them. Leo Laporte is a superb broadcaster and provides podcasts (netcasts) that I believe set the standard for all Internet-based audio shows.
In my opinion, if Leo Laporte could just stop with the fake ‘Windows love,’ the show could be even better.
OK, that’s my opinion of this excellent show. What do YOU think?
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